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Utah is earthquake country. Earthquakes can strike at any time without warning causing major damage to homes and critical infrastructures. They are almost always followed by after shocks that can be even larger than the initial quake.
There are things you can do to prepare your home and your family for an earthquake. Many of these things will help prepare you for other emergencies and disasters as well.
Utah Earthquake Preparedness
Information Center (EPICenter)
The Utah EPICenter promotes seismic safety statewide and preparesUtahanss for earthquakes through community outreach programs, publications, and presentations.
The EPICENTER works to implement broad-based yet specific proposals regarding preparedness and mitigation. It also acts as a resource to state and local agencies, school, businesses etc. involved in earthquake preparedness.
State and local governments are responsible for protecting lives and property and play a primary role in earthquake hazard reduction.
To reduce the effects of earthquakes on communities an effective earthquake hazard reduction program must be developed. This is done by developing, implementing, and promoting earthquake hazard reduction measures including vulnerability assessments, preparedness and response planning, mitigation, and public awareness and education.
Injuries and loss of life from earthquakes are directly related to building damage and collapse and the seismic performance of lifeline systems.
The EPICenter monitors state and local programs that promote life safety activities and seismic structural enhancement.
Examples of the EPICenter’s programs include:
- One outreach program is keeping the public informed of earthquake activities through public awareness.
- Presentations to local church, community, and business groups continue to grow in demand.
- Communities and local businesses are incorporating earthquake preparedness as part of their daily life and a part of employee training. EPICenter provides a non-structural walk-through to business and local communities to reduce potential losses due to an earthquake.
- The ATC 20 workshop is targeted specifically for volunteer engineers, architects, building inspectors, and others who will be required to make on-the-spot evaluations of buildings. The ATC 21 is a course that will give local governments and citizens guidance in developing a practical approach to a very serious problem.
- One of the main hazards during an earthquake is non-structural damage that occurs inside buildings. The EPICenter continues its non-structural mitigation education program that includes workshops, non-structural facility inspections, and distribution of non-structural mitigation materials.
Additional Information
For Kids:
**Source: State Of Utah DES
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